A MUSIC teacher who made inappropriate comments to a boy about his sexuality and appearance, bought him a beer and gave him wine as they watched television at his house has been banned from the profession.
Stefan Hofkes, 52, resigned from Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital (QEH) independent boys’ day school in Clifton in June 2022 after persisting with his behaviour with the pupil despite two written warnings within a year.
He told the youngster he wanted to “headbutt your mum” after the child had an argument with her on holiday about his friendship with the teacher. Hofkes also tried to “force” the boy into believing he was gay, a Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) professional conduct panel heard.
Hofkes hugged the boy on numerous occasions and the pair exchanged about 20 text messages each day and went on walks together almost daily during lockdown.
The panel barred him indefinitely, with a minimum two-year period before he can apply to teach again.
It found that his actions were not sexually motivated but the panel was concerned about his failure to realise the impact it had on the youngster and the risk of repetition.
The TRA’s report, published on October 29 following a three-day hearing ,said the boy, Pupil A, stated Hofkes regularly complimented his physical appearance when they were alone, which made him feel uncomfortable.
It said the teacher, who did not attend the tribunal and was not represented, said his comments had been misinterpreted.
The report said: “The nature and context of these comments, especially a comment that linked Pupil A’s appearance to men to whom Hofkes was attracted, were found by the panel to be inappropriate.”
The teacher admitted telling the child that he wanted to headbutt his mum but that this was a joke and taken as such.
The report said the comment “undermined the relationship between parent and son”, although the panel did not find it of a “threatening nature, since although the comment was said in an angry manner, Pupil A was not left with the impression that Hofkes was going to act” on it.
The child told the panel that he had visited Hofkes’ home more than once and that they ate food and watched television, although his mum had known and the adult’s partner was often there too.
The boy said Hofkes hugged him on numerous occasions, both inside and outside the QEH, which made him feel more uncomfortable as he got older, although the teacher had always asked first.
The report said: “In Pupil A’s witness statement, he stated that he and [REDACTED] and Hofkes had bought him a beer afterwards.
“Pupil A confirmed this in oral evidence and added there had been occasions also when he had had a small glass of wine or prosecco at Hofkes’ house.”
The teacher denied buying the youngster, who was under 18 at the time, any alcoholic drink, but the panel found the allegation proven.
The panel found allegations not proven that he touched the pupil’s bottom or that his conduct was sexually motivated.
Its report said: “The panel accepted that Hofkes was an inspirational teacher.
“However, he had previously been warned in writing by the school to have regard to the appropriate boundaries between teacher and pupil.”
Hofkes worked at the school from 2010 as a visiting music teacher before being employed as a part-time piano tutor six years later.
The school was asked for a comment.
By Adam Postans, Local Democracy Reporting Service